Exploratory device for cell specimens



oct. 23, 1956 H. E. NIEBURGs v2,767,703 ExPLoRAToRY DEVICE EOE CELL sPEcIMENs INVENTOR. Hefeafer f'. Meal/ees 4free/Vey Filed Jan. 7, 1955 United States Patent 2,767,703 EXPLRATORY DEVICE FOR CELL SPECIMENS Herbert E. Nieburgs, Forest Hills, N. Y. Application January 7, 1955, Serial No. 480,340 12 Claims. (Cl. 12S- 2) The present invention is directed to devices for exploring the human body and more particularly to a device containing abrasive loopsfor obtaining cell specimens from various body cavities for diagnosis of Various diseases such as cancer.

For some time it has been customary to obtain such specimens and they are of particular value in connection with the examination o-f endometrium of the womb, rectum, larynx, stomach and duodenum. Devices for this purpose have been proposed and used. However, these were inadequate and they did not give as desirable results as are now considered necessary for adequate diagnosis. One such device consisted of an elongated tube having a slidable and rotatable member therein, the end of which was provided with a sharp point and various means for obtaining a specimen. Such means included a threaded end, a hook adjacent to the end and a pair of nippers at said end, and other similar elements. In another device for the same purpose, there was provided a tube with a rod passing through the same and having a pointed end. There were provided cooperating cutting edges of conical shape which were caused to close by sliding the rod back and forth.

The several elements of these prior art devices consisted of rigid or stiff material and by reason thereof, it was impossible to guide the device into certain cavities and in any case because of the stiffness of the end of the rod, and the needle point thereon, unnecessary injury to healthy tissue occurred. The devices were of limited usefulness, were awkward to handle, were dificult to direct properly and above all they were incapable of taking adequate specimens for diagnosis. The present invention is intended and adapted to overcome the difficulties and disadvantages inherent in prior devices of the type described, it being among the objects of the present invention to provide an exploratory device for cell collection which is `simple in construction and which is easy to operate.

It is also among the objects of the present invention to provide a `device of the character described, which is adapted for various purposes and which may be adjusted, depending upon the character of the use thereof.

It is further among the objects of the present invention to provide a cell collecting device which enables the operator to readily and quickly obtain adequate specimens without injury to the surrounding tissue.

In practicing the present invention there is provided an elongated tube with a central cord or wire, one end of which is attached to certain elements which enable the operator to manipulate said wire. There is also provided a fitting at one end of the tube into which the abovementioned end of the wire is clamped. At the opposite end of the wire there are provided a plurality of loops of suitable material such as synthetic fibers, said loops being flexible. A number of such loops of diiferent lengths and spread over a substantial area in an adjustable manner are provided. Generally one or more of the loops has one or more knots thereon to assist in removing .cells from tissue. Preferably the centerline of the loops is at an angle to the tube, so that upon rotation of the wire, a relatively large radius of movement of the loops is obtained.

In the accompanying drawing constituting a part hereof and in which like reference characters indicate like parts,

Fig. l is a side elevational view of a device made in accordance with the present invention, some parts being broken away for clearness;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional View thereof taken along line 2 2 of Fig. l

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the device in exploded form to show the relationship of the several elements;

Fig. 4 is a transverse cross-sectional View taken along line 4 4 of Fig. 2, and

Fig. 5 is a side elevational View of a modified form of the invention.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 4, there is provided an elongated tube 1 having a portion of its surface 2 knurled so as to be gripped by the user. One end 3 thereof is reduced and is threaded to accommodate the end 5 of a flexible extension 4 of any suitable length. A wire 6 within tube 1 and extension 4 has at the end a series ,of loops 7 and 8 of various lengths, at least some of said loops having knots 9 therein. The ends of said loops are boundled together and secured by threads 10 to the end 11 of wire 6.

Within tube 1 is a guide duct 12 having a head 13 at one end fitting relatively closely to the internal wall of tube 1 and having wire 6 pasing therethrough, the duct acting to steady the wire during movements thereof. The other end 14 of duct 12 is split as shown at 15 and .is threaded as shown at 16. An intermediate enlarged portion 17 is knurled so as to be gripped by the user. A clamping cap 1S having a tapered threaded recess 19 fits over end 14 and when threaded home forms a clamp causing said end to grip the end 6' of wire 6.

A hollow screw 20 having a head 21 surrounds duct 12 and is adapted to be threaded into the threaded end 22 of tube 1. Thereby the screw forms a bearing for one end of duct 12. j

In the modification shown in Fig. 5, the general construction is the same as the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 4, with the difference that extension 4 is omitted. In place thereof there is provided a rigid extension 23 which is secured to the end 1' of tube 1 in fixed relation thereto as by welding. The free end 24 of extension 23 is rounded or bent so that it is at an angle to the centerline of tube 1 and extension 23. Such a modification is particularly suitable where rectal, endometrial and laryngeal specimens are desired.

In the operation of the device shown in Fig. 1, the assembly .is made as shown in Fig. 2 and the operator grasps knurled surface 2 with one hand. With the other hand, the operator grasps elements 17-18, retracts the latter, thereby pulling loops 7 and 8 into the adjacent end of extension 4. Then the instrument is inserted into the cavity of the body and end 17-18 is pushed forward to place the loops in the position shown in Fig. l. Then end 17-18 is rotated whereby the -compressive action of the loops of different lengths and sizes and the knots therein scrapes od a relatively large specimen which becomes entangled in the loops and without injury to most of the surrounding tissues. Then wire 6 is retracted to bring the loops Within extension 4 and the instrument is removed from the body.

There are a number of advantages inherent in the present invention. The loops are usually made of synthetic fibers such as nylon, which may be washed and sterilized without deterioration. The end of the loop section may be bent whereby the diameter of rotation thereof can be altered. Because of the arrangement of the loops, they may be easily retracted into the extension. Since the loops are resilient, they will spread out when wire 6 is pushed forward to release the loops. The knots are of substantial assistance in obtaining the desired specimen.

Although the invention has been described setting forth two specific embodiments thereof, various changes in the details of construction may be made within the spirit of the invention. For instance, various lengths of extensions 4 may be applied to the instrument, depending upon the distance into the body which it is desired to enter. 'The extensions may be of various diameters and thicknesses and various degrees of flexibility. Any suitable synthetic plastic material may be used. The wire may be a single strand or may be a cable of metal or synthetic fibers and may be a cord or rod and it should be flexible. The number of knots and of loops and their arrangement may be varied to suit the particular needs. The several structural elements may be of different forni and configuration than shown and any suitable material of construction may be used.

In the endometrial abrasive cannula the nylon or other fibers may be attached to element 6 either over a thin coat of latex or the like or over a roughened surface of the wire in order to anchor the loops in position. Various sizes of the instruments may be made for use in various organs such as set forth herein and others including colon, bronchi, bladder and kidney.

These and other changes may be made within the spirit of the invention, which is to be broadly construed and not to be limited except by the character of the claims appended hereto.

I claim:

l. A device for obtaining cell specimens which comprises an elongated tube, a wire in the bore of said tube, a fitting at one end of said tube into which one end of said wire is clamped, a plurality of exible loops of fibers at the other end of said wire and outside of said tube.

2. A device for obtaining cell specimens which comprises an elongated tube, a wire in the bore of said tube, a fitting at one end of said tube into which one end of said wire is clamped, a plurality of liexible loops of fibers at the other end of said wire and outside of said tube, and knots in at least some of said loops.

3. A device for obtaining cell specimens which cornprises an elongated tube, a wire in lthe bore of said tube, a fitting at one end of said tube into which one end of said wire is clamped, a plurality of flexible loops of fibers at the other end of said wire and outside of said tube, said loops being of various sizes.

4. A device for obtaining cell specimens which comprises an elongated tube, a wire in the bore of said tube, a fitting at one end of said tube into which one end of said wire is clamped, a plurality of flexible loops of fibers at the other end of said wire and outside of said tube, said loops being spread laterally.

5. A device for obtaining cell specimens which comprises an elongated tube, a wire in the bore of said tube, a fitting at one end of said tube into which one end of said wire is clamped, a plurality of flexible loops of fibers at the other end of said wire and outside of said tube, the centerline of said loops being at an angle to said tube.

6. A device for obtaining cell specimens which comand a rigid angular extension interposed between prises an elongated tube, a wire in the bore of said tube, a fitting at one end of said tube into which one end of said wire is clamped, a plurality of fiexible loops of fibers at the other end of said wire and outside of said tube, said wire being flexible and adapted to be bent.

7. A device for obtaining cell specimens which comprises an elongated tube, a wire in the bore of said tube, a fitting at one end of said tube into which one end of said wire is clamped, a plurality of flexible loops of fibers at the other end of said wire and outside of said tube, an extension on said tube, said loops being retractable into said extension.

8. A device for obtaining cell specimens which comprises an elongated tube, a wire in the bore of said tube, a fitting at one end of said tube into which one end ot' said wire is clamped, a plurality of flexible loops of fibers at the other end of said wire and outside of said tube, and a flexible extension interposed between the loops and the adjacent end of said tube.

9. A device for obtaining cell specimens which comprises an elongated tube, a wire in the bore of said tube, a fitting at one end of said tube into which one end of said wire is clamped, a plurality of flexible loops of fibers at the other end of said wire and outside of said tube, the

loops andthe adjacent end of said tube.

l0. A device for obtaining cell specimens which comprises an elongated tube, a wire in the bore of said tube, a fitting at one end of said tube into which one end of said wire is clamped, a plurality of fiexible loops of fibers at the other end of said wire and outside of said tube, a guide duct having one end within said tube, said wire passing into said duct.

1l. A device for obtaining cell specimens which coniprises an elongated tube, a wire in the bore of said tube, a plurality of fiexible loops of fibers at the other end of said wire and outside of said tube, a guide duct having one end within said tube, said wire passing into said duct, the yother end of said duct being split with an external thread thereon, and a clamping nut on said threads.

12. A device for obtaining cell specimens which com prises an elongated tube, a wire in the bore of said tube, a plurality of flexible loops of fibers at the other end of said wire and outside of said tube, a guide duct having one end within said tube, said wire passing into said duct, the other end of said duct being split with an external thread thereon, a hollow externally threaded screw on said duct, the adjacent end of said tube being internally threaded and receiving said screw.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 651,395 Stapp June l2, 1900 2,295,848 Jones Sept. 15, 1942 2,701,559 Cooper Feb. 8, 1955 OTHER REFERENCES Cancer, vol. 6, No. 6, November 1953, pp. 1177- 1179.

Journal of the American Medical Association; October 23, 1954; pp. 770, 771. (Copy available in Scientific Library of Patent Office.) 

